Madison County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Madison County are maintained by Circuit Clerk Debra Kizer at the courthouse in Huntsville. The county operates within the 23rd Judicial Circuit and is one of the busiest court systems in north Alabama. Citations from state troopers and sheriff's deputies are processed through district court, while Huntsville and Madison city police tickets go to municipal court. The Circuit Clerk's office handles record requests, document copies, and can help you check on case status. The Madison County Service Center at (256) 489-8000 provides general assistance if you're not sure where to start.
Madison County Quick Facts
Madison County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court records for Madison County. Debra Kizer runs the office right now. It's at Northside Square in downtown Huntsville. The main clerk's office is on the 2nd floor. The records search division is up on the 6th floor. If you need copies of traffic court papers or want to look up a case, head to the 6th floor for that. The office handles a lot of traffic, since Madison County is one of the busiest in north Alabama. Give yourself some extra time if you're going in person, because there may be a wait.
| Circuit Clerk | Honorable Debra Kizer |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Northside Square, Room 217 Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3390 |
| Service Center | (256) 489-8000 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | madison.alacourt.gov |
Records Search Division
For mail requests, write to the District Court Division on the 6th floor:
| Address | Debra Kizer, Circuit Clerk Records Search District Court Division 100 North Side Square, 6th Floor Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|
How to Search Traffic Records in Madison County
Online Search
Madison County traffic records can be searched through the statewide Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. Search by defendant name or case number. Access fees apply: $9.99 for a name search, $19.99 to $29.99 for case monitoring subscriptions. The Online Traffic Resolution system allows searching by citation number and date of birth to pay tickets online.
In-Person Requests
Go to the courthouse during work hours. Bring a case number if you have it. A name and rough date work too. Staff can check case status, make copies, and show payment history. Madison County is big and busy, so plan for a wait, especially mid-week.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the Records Search Division. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if known, and specify what documents are needed. Enclose payment for applicable fees. Mail requests to:
Debra Kizer, Circuit Clerk
Records Search District Court Division
100 North Side Square, 6th Floor
Huntsville, AL 35801
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic violation fines in Madison County vary based on the offense. Standard speeding tickets typically range from $190 to $300 including court costs. More serious violations carry higher penalties. DUI offenses result in fines from $600 to $2,100 for first offenses plus additional costs.
Record Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages (over 20) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Computerized records search | $10.00 |
| Paper records search | $20.00 |
| Alacourt name search | $9.99 |
Payment Options
Traffic fines can be paid online through ALAPay.com or by phone at 1-877-252-7294. In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Credit and debit cards work for online and phone payments but include a convenience fee.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Madison County are governed by Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, district courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts in Huntsville, Madison, and other cities have jurisdiction over traffic offenses prosecuted under city ordinances per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless specifically designated as felonies. Speed limit violations are covered under Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is defined in Section 32-5A-190, and DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191.
Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40, which establishes the right of Alabama citizens to inspect and copy public records held by courts.
Additional Contacts
District Attorney's Office
The 23rd Circuit DA runs traffic cases in Madison County. Got a pending case? Want to talk plea options? Reach out to their office. They handle the state's side, so they know what kind of outcome they're pushing for. Just remember they're not your lawyer. For advice on fighting a charge, you need a defense attorney.
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama has an office in Huntsville that provides free legal assistance to qualifying individuals. Contact their intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for help with traffic court matters.
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with local attorneys. Call (800) 392-5660 for a referral. Huntsville has numerous law firms that handle traffic cases regularly.
Cities in Madison County
Madison County is home to the Huntsville metropolitan area, one of the largest in Alabama. Traffic citations issued by city police are handled by that city's municipal court. Two cities meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages:
Other cities in Madison County include Harvest, Meridianville, Hazel Green, and New Hope. These smaller communities are served by the county court system for traffic cases, though some may have their own municipal courts for local ordinance violations.